Concerns raised after bus service changes

Stagecoach has decided to change some of its services in Dover

Alterations to bus services in Kent have sparked concerns that residents with health needs could be left "vulnerable".

Some bus routes in Dover, including one that stops at the local hospital, are being changed and councillors say part of the reason is to help launch a new fast track bus service.

Jamie Pout, Dover District Council's (DDC) deputy leader, said: "If people don't know what's going to happen with their regular bus service then they get frustrated, they panic, they don't know how they're going to get to work."

Stagecoach said the fast track service meant there was no longer a case to maintain the 61 bus in north Whitfield, which largely duplicated the new route.

The Dover Fastrack bus service, launching on Sunday, will connect Whitfield with the town centre and railway station.

Mr Pout told BBC Radio Kent: "We were sold a dream and I think we've been totally misled."

He added: "If they [residents] have got some really urgent health problem, they now don't know how they are going to get to Buckland Hospital or elsewhere,.

"That puts people in a really vulnerable position and that's totally unfair."

Additional bus service

As well as the 61 bus having its route changed and no longer serving north Whitfield, it will also replace the 62 service from Sunday.

The 64 is also being split into two services and will operate hourly.

Stagecoach said the existing service near Forge Lane and Nursery Lane was getting an average of about two or three passengers a journey.

The company said there was an option for north Whitfield residents to use a bookable minibus service to and from Tesco and it would work with Kent County Council (KCC) to find another solution.

Neil Baker, KCC's cabinet member for highways and transport, said although the authority had no control over Stagecoach's decision, it would be providing an additional bus service for the area.